Solution for seasoning and preserving wood



(No Model.)

J. LOOMIS.

SOLUTION FORSEASONING AND PRESERVING WOOD. No. 273,861.

Patented Mar.13, 1883.

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'l way UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LOOMIS, OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.

SOLUTION FOR SEASONING AND PRESERVING WOOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,861, dated March 13, 1883. Application filed December 9, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN Looms, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Jefl'ersonville. in the county of Clarke and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Solution for Seasoning and Preserving Wood, of which the lollowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide incansforthoroughly seasoning wood in a short space of time, and also to preserve the wood from decay by the same means which I employ for seasoning it. To such end I propose soaking the green wood in a mixture of limewater, caustic am monia,and sal-soda,and then, after the wood hasbecorne thoroughly saturated with the same, drying it by suitable means, so as to expel the moisture.

In the annexed drawing the figure represents a convenient construction of apparatus for heating the wood with my solution.

in carrying my invention into effect 1 prepare a compound consisting of limewater, caustic ammonia, and sal-soda in about the following proportions, to wit: To make one hundred gallons of the mixture, I take three gallonsot'caustic ammonia, ten gallons ofsal-soda, and eighty-seven gallons of lime-water, which are mixed together. The wood to be seasoned is taken in a green state and placed in this compound, in which itis lett to soak for about. two weeks, after which the wood is taken out and dried in any suitable way. The caustic ammonia and moisture will evaporate very rapidly, and but a short time will be necessary to render the wood dry and ready for use. It will be found to be well seasoned, and, in addition to such quality, it will also be preserved from decay.

In the drawing, A indicates an elevated tank for storing the compound, and B a trough in which the planks or pieces of green wood, 0, are placed, so as to become saturated by the liquid compound, which can be run into the trough from the tank through a pipe, D, provided witha suitable cock, E, for closing the pipe at'tera snflicient quantity oftheliquid compound has been run into the trough. This seasoning and preserving liquid compound can be used either in a cold or warm or hot state, in which latter instance it can be heated in any convenient way, as, for example, by heat applied under the bottom of the trough or by means ofsteam or hot-air pipes passing through the liquid in the trough.

In treating wood with my improved compound the caustic ammonia readily penetrates the wood and neutralizes and drives out the sap. The sal-soda in the compound tends to close the pores of the wood, whereby the wood is rendered susceptible of a higher polish than can be obtained when the wood is seasoned in the ordinary way.

I have found that by employing lime-water, sal-soda,and caustic ammonia in the manner hereinbefore described I can, with the aid of a suitable degree of heat, season the wood in ten hours, so that by subsequently drying the wood in a kiln or other drier for about four days the wood will be better prepared than if allowed to season for several years in the usual way. When the compound is u-ed in a cold state the wood should be soaked in it for about ten days, after which it can be stacked and dried for several months, or properly dried in three or four days by heat in a kiln or drier.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- A solution for seasoning and preserving wood, consisting of lime-water, caustic ammonia, and sal-soda, as and for the purpose substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing wit- JOHN LOOMIS. Witnesses:

GEORGE GRAVELING, H. J. BERGMANN. 

